ghstrider's custom 150 build thread

[gypsy1203]

what a nice looking fish Eddie...

 

[nivram]

Great collection you got going there. Did you get your Apex back?

 

[ghstrider]

Not yet Marvin... Very dissatisfied with Neptune and their service. They have one employee that goes above and beyond to help but thats it. This will probably be my last controller with them i think.

Thanks for all the compliments guys... Im trying to build a nice collection.

 

[canesfan44]

Not yet Marvin... Very dissatisfied with Neptune and their service. They have one employee that goes above and beyond to help but thats it. This will probably be my last controller with them i think.

Thanks for all the compliments guys... Im trying to build a nice collection.

You're trying to build a nice collection, or you ARE building a nice collection?
I think it's the latter of the two. You're putting together an excellent collection.

 

[ghstrider]

You're trying to build a nice collection, or you ARE building a nice collection?
I think it's the latter of the two. You're putting together an excellent collection.

Thanks man! Im looking for another fish to accompany the Mitratus in QT so I can introduce 2 fish together into the display at the same time (to prevent any possible aggression). The next fish will be another stunner so stand by!!

Heres a video of the DT from today... Sorry for the poor lighting conditions but it was an iphone video.

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1030.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy364%2Fgarcia751%2F40fb234d.mp4">

And heres the Mitratus in QT just cruising around after his mysis meal...

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1030.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy364%2Fgarcia751%2Fb550a083.mp4">

 

[ghstrider]

A brief update:

The SWC Mini S Skimmer w/ Askoll pump came in on Thursday but it seems im the first to try it out including even SWC and doesnt work (just overflows into the cup non stop) I tried to troubleshoot with reeffiltration and no go. I guess I was the guinea pig for SWC to see if the Askoll pump would work on that cone... sux. But Luke from reeffiltration is awesome and shipping me out an SWC 230 cone on Monday at no additional cost to me (I just hope it fits). This skimmer is even better and has been out a few months now so im not the tester on this one.

One of the AI modules was defective and I sent it back and got it back in the same week so thats in and all lights are operational.

The last piece of the puzzle was the apex and it was sent back 10 days ago and Neptune sent me a new unit but it seems the unit was either lost by UPS or Neptune never gave it to UPS. We will see tomorrow where my controller is... I did bring it to Neptune's attention on Tuesday that the tracking # was not valid and they totally disregarded it and now im stuck. Very dissapointed in Neptune's service (except Eugene... he's the only one there thats tried to help).

Sooooooo.... Once my skimmer and controller are in then I can put the stand doors on and call this setup complete.

 

[canesfan44]

A brief update:

The SWC Mini S Skimmer w/ Askoll pump came in on Thursday but it seems im the first to try it out including even SWC and doesnt work (just overflows into the cup non stop) I tried to troubleshoot with reeffiltration and no go. I guess I was the guinea pig for SWC to see if the Askoll pump would work on that cone... sux. But Luke from reeffiltration is awesome and shipping me out an SWC 230 cone on Monday at no additional cost to me (I just hope it fits). This skimmer is even better and has been out a few months now so im not the tester on this one.

One of the AI modules was defective and I sent it back and got it back in the same week so thats in and all lights are operational.

The last piece of the puzzle was the apex and it was sent back 10 days ago and Neptune sent me a new unit but it seems the unit was either lost by UPS or Neptune never gave it to UPS. We will see tomorrow where my controller is... I did bring it to Neptune's attention on Tuesday that the tracking # was not valid and they totally disregarded it and now im stuck. Very dissapointed in Neptune's service (except Eugene... he's the only one there thats tried to help).

Sooooooo.... Once my skimmer and controller are in then I can put the stand doors on and call this setup complete.

That sucks! Hopefully you're getting all of the problems out of the way now, and then your luck will change and everything will run smoothly.

 

[nivram]

Wow, you are totally making me rethink my plans to upgrade to a Apex computer with your negative experience with Neptune.

 

[ghstrider]

Marvin, problem is the Apex is probably the best all around controller on the market so your stuck if you want to upgrade controllers. RKE hasnt gotten great reviews in comparison and from what Ive read they seem to have service issues as well. I only received bad service from one person at Neptune but unfortunately he is the boss. Im sure others have great things to say but Ive spoken with him 2-3 times and he has had a poor attitude on all occasions. I wish there more options... And because of these issues ive contemplated selling or returning my unit to premium aquatics. But I dont think the RKE can control my AI lights or at least not from what Ive read. So Im gonna wait til tomorrow to see how Neptune will resolve this issue and get me my controller back.

 

[ghstrider]

Bit of an Update...

Bit of an Update...

My controller finally arrived on Tuesday and I now have it completely programmed with my setup. Im happy to have it up and running again but just wish Neptune had gotten it here as promised last week. Moving forward...

My SWC 230 Cone arrived today and its a beast! Thanks Luke!! Im breaking it in as I type so a detailed report to follow soon. Besides some organization, a quick door install, and maybe some fans, this build is pretty much in the bag!!

Now onto livestock,
My Personifer and Multicolor are doing fantastic in the DT. Theyre eating like monsters and swimming together as if paired. My Mitratus is in QT and eats mysis, live blackworms, and frozen brine extremely well but not much else. He is responding well to a full level of Cupramine and Prazipro. Another week and hes ready for the DT. I plan on starting to train all my fish on Rogger's Food (green one) next week as I know its super healthy and it will make life easier on me.

Ive got to make room in the QT for mid next week as I plan on having something come in next week thats VERY special!!!

STAY TUNED!!!!!

 

[ghstrider]

A pic of the guts... Skimmer is in and the controller is in its corner. I love my stand!

And here a quick video I took before work on my iphone. Ignore the coloration its not realistic on this phone

<a href="http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y364/garcia751/?action=view&current=4a0b6f02.mp4" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y364/garcia751/4a0b6f02.mp4" border="0" alt="Photobucket Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a>

 

[M_55G]

Looking good. Also from what I read the RKE can contoll the AI lights by using the alc Module.

 

[ghstrider]

I QT'd the Mitratus for two and a half weeks including almost 2 weeks of cupramine and a week of prazipro. He almost died a few days ago after my wife forgot to turn on the pumps after feeding but came right back. Hes now on his 3rd day in the display and aggression is nearly gone. All three fish are chowing Roggers Food right from the clip and love it (the green one). Heres a video during their meal...

<embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid1030.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy364%2Fgarcia751%2F86a1e875.mp4">

Heres a nice sand sifter I found this past week.

<a href="http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y364/garcia751/?action=view&current=b7c72cd0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y364/garcia751/b7c72cd0.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Ive also learned how to log onto my Apex thru my iphone so that i can program my system remotely even while on the road.

<a href="http://s1030.photobucket.com/albums/y364/garcia751/?action=view&current=92d724b4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y364/garcia751/92d724b4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[nivram]

Dude, can you please charge your phone :lol2:

 

[ghstrider]

Dude, can you please charge your phone :lol2:

Cant afford a car charger... I own a reef tank. :jester:

 

[Jgoal55]

lol....

and the Eddie says...."yes honey, I'm filming the tank with it."

Looks awesome Eddie. Congrats again.

 

[WhoDey64]

Its coming together nice, very clean.

 

[mlivvy]

Looks really nice. How long do you QT your fish?

 

[ghstrider]

About 3 weeks or more... One week to get the feeding good and then cupramine followed by prazipro for a few weeks. I release them into my DT when they are ready (each fish is different but I look for things like feeding from my hand and for the fish to be fattened up)

 

[ghstrider]

Picked up a few frags yesterday from Aquaman... Thanks man they look awesome but I think I left that sweet yellow tort!!!! Either way, you know you have frags from me whenever if ever you need!